Mate

Mate
Three Hours Before Midnight… Three Hours Before Elina Turns Eighteen

The palace was already humming with preparations for the Mating Ceremony. Lanterns hung on ropes, servants rushed through corridors, guards doubled their patrols, and the excited chatter of she-wolves swept through the courtyards.

But inside Damian’s private study, the atmosphere was quieter—warmer—almost intimate.

Elina sat with her hands folded tightly on her lap, her heart pounding with excitement and anxiety. Tonight, she would know her mate.
A future Alpha female… discovering her other half.

And yet, every time she thought of Damon, a painful flutter passed through her chest.
She tried to crush it or Ignore it totally but the closer midnight approached, the harder it became.

Damon, on the other hand, slouched comfortably in his chair as though the night meant absolutely nothing. His arms crossed, his expression bored—even though Elina could see the tiny muscle twitching in his jaw.

He was pretending not to care. He always pretended.

Damian rested back in his large seat, watching the two of them with a knowing smile before clearing his throat.

“Since Elina’s eighteenth birthday is on few hours,” he began warmly, “I’ve decided to prepare a small celebration for her tomorrow. Nothing extravagant, just enough to honor her coming of age and, of course—”

His voice softened.

“—to welcome her mate.”

Elina’s cheeks burst into flames immediately. Damon glanced sideways, one eyebrow lifting.

Lucain, who had been standing by the wall with a document in hand, smiled approvingly at her. “That mate of yours,” Lucain said with a teasing bow, “will surely be someone strong. Someone worthy of carrying the blood of two great Alphas.”

Elina ducked her head shyly, but Damon made a loud, exaggerated scoff.

Damian’s brows lifted.
“What is it this time, Damon?”

Damon leaned forward with the most dramatic seriousness.
“Father… why is she getting all the special treatment? When I turned eighteen, I didn’t get a party. I didn’t even get my favorite soup. You yelled at me that morning—remember?”

Elina burst into laughter before she could stop herself.

“You’re just jealous,” she teased him boldly. “Mateless Alpha.” She covered her mouth, giggling. “Mateless!”

Damon’s eyes widened in outrage.“Elina… I swear—if you call me that again, I’ll knock out those tiny teeth of yours.”

She pouted in mock sadness. “My teeth? These perfect teeth?”

He frowned harder, making her laugh harder.

Damian chuckled deeply, shaking his head at their childish bickering.

“I planned a celebration for you,” he reminded Damon, “but that was supposed to happen once you found your mate. Since the Moon Goddess was still preparing her, well… there was nothing to celebrate.”

Elina couldn’t help it—she whispered under her breath again “Mateless Damon.”

Damon growled playfully, reaching for her, but she slipped behind the chair, still laughing.

Damian waved them off, amused.
“All right. Enough. Go prepare yourselves for tonight.”

They bowed and left the room—still bickering lightly as they walked down the corridor.

When the door clicked shut, Damian leaned back, the humor fading from his face.

Lucain noticed at once.“What troubles you, Alpha?”

Damian exhaled deeply, his voice quiet and heavy.“I pray Liam finds his mate tonight. He’s been alone far too long. A warrior like him deserves happiness.”

Lucain nodded slowly.“He has waited faithfully. Perhaps tonight will be the night.”

There was a short silence before Lucain opened the scroll in his hand and began the official report.

He addressed border activities, rogue movements, and diplomatic messages from surrounding packs until he reached the final part.

“Finally,” Lucain said, “a report from Coldstone Pack regarding Lambert.”

Damian’s expression sharpened.“How is he?”

“Changed,” Lucain replied. “Completely. Alpha Max says Lambert has become disciplined. Quiet. Obedient. He works harder than any young warrior there.”

Damian’s lips curved faintly.
“Good. I hope he continues on that path. He was a boy destroyed by a mother’s greed.”

Lucain continued, “There is also a letter from Beta Matt. He reports that his mate—Sofia—is pregnant. He asks for your blessings.”

Damian’s face brightened instantly.
“That is excellent news. That girl suffered so much. She deserves every happiness.”

Lucain smiled softly.“Shall I write a letter to bless the child?”

“Yes. And send a gift as well.”

Lucain bowed and prepared to leave, but Damian stopped him with a gentle nod of gratitude.“You’ve done well this year, Lucain. Thank you.”

Lucain bowed deeper this time.
“It is my honor, Alpha.” He left the study.

And Damian, smiling faintly—walked down the hallway toward Ella’s chamber, where she had been anxiously waiting to speak with him about the upcoming ceremony.

Meanwhile....
Elina refused to stop teasing Damon.

She burst out laughing as she sprinted down the hall, glancing back at him with a wicked grin.

“Mateless Damon! Maybe the Moon Goddess is waiting for Susan to come of age. Isn’t she your secret crush?”

Damon’s face twisted into a hard frown — not truly angry, but deeply offended in the way only a sibling could evoke.
“Elina!” he barked, chasing after her, “I will beat you into a pup, when I catch you! I swear it!”

She only laughed harder. “You blush every time Susan says hello! Maybe the Goddess is saving you for her!”

“Elina!” He lunged, but she dodged. She burst into another fit of laughter.

Then she darted into the first room she saw and slammed the door behind her—
only to whirl around and find Damon following right on her heels.

He slipped inside before she could escape.
And when the door clicked shut behind him, locking them both in, Damon’s smile stretched wide.

Elina’s eyes widened as realization hit.

This was his room. “You…” she whispered.

Damon leaned against the door, smirking like the devil himself.

“You just walked into my den,” he drawled.
“And now I’m going to teach you a real lesson.”

She scoffed loudly, folding her arms to hide the sudden flutter in her chest.

“As if. I’ll beat you up before you even touch me.” But Damon only laughed—
a soft, low laugh that vibrated through the room.

Something in that sound… Something in his voice… made Elina’s heart thunder violently against her ribs.

Her breath caught, and her body went still. He has always looked so captivating... those sparkly eyes of his always seems to drawn her in.

Damon stopped laughing instantly. “Elina?” he murmured, stepping closer, concern flickering in his eyes.

He reached out and gently touched her shoulder— And the world changed.

A scent— lavender mixed with warm honey—flooded his senses, hitting him like a storm.

His wolf surged forward so violently he staggered.

His eyes widened as her scent clung to his skin… burned into his lungs.

He lifted his head— Elina was staring right at him, pupils blown wide, lips parted, breathing unevenly.

A whisper escaped both of them at the exact same time:

“Mate.” Their wolves howled inside them—
furious, desperate, claiming, lunging for control.

They circled each other like flames meeting gasoline, breathing heavily, instincts rising too fast, too strong.

Then—in one sharp, wild movement—
Damon grabbed her waist and pulled her against him.

His lips crashed into hers.

It wasn’t hesitant or gentle neither. It was years of buried hunger erupting at once.

Elina gasped—then melted. Her fingers slid up, curling behind his neck as she kissed him back just as fiercely.

The kiss deepened instantly. More heat warm up her thighs and a sudden strange urge for more need raising up.

Damon pressed her against his chest, swallowing her breath, claiming her mouth again and again like he had been starving for her. His wolf roared through him.

Elina trembled under his touch, but she didn’t pull away—she clung to him, answering every movement, every kiss.

His lips trailed down her jaw, then her throat. Slow, burning kisses.

His hand slid upward, cupping her breast through her clothes, thumb brushing over her peak.

Elina’s breath hitched—her knees weakening— And Damon, eyes dark and stormy, lifted his head to look at her again.